Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available at Allen County Public Health.
LIMA — Allen County Public Health is now administering updated COVID-19 booster shots by appointment at its Market Street office to anyone who is at least two months out from their initial vaccine or booster shot.
The shots, approved by the FDA and CDC last week, contain a new formula designed to target the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the highly contagious omicron variant, which has mutated to partially escape immunity generated by vaccines and prior infections.
“It was starting to have an impact on individuals being able to stay out of the hospital, especially with older age,” said Brandon Fischer, Allen County health commissioner.
“The hope is with high uptake of this new booster shot, you can get protection against not only hospitalization and death, but you can re-establish some of that protection against catching COVID with omicron,” Fischer added.
Forty-seven percent of Allen County residents have started their initial COVID-19 vaccines since the vaccination effort started in late 2020, but less than half of those vaccinated have received a booster shot, Ohio Department of Health data show.
About 5,200 second booster shots have been administered since late March, primarily for older adults at higher risk for severe illness.
While eligibility guidelines for COVID-19 boosters were initially restricted to those at greatest risk for severe illness, the CDC has extended eligibility to anyone aged 5 and older.
But the updated boosters, or those made with the new omicron-tailored formula, are not yet available for children aged 12 and younger. And the new formula hasn’t been approved for use as initial vaccine series yet either.
Allen County Public Health will hold adult vaccination clinics from 9-11 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays at its office, 219 E. Market St., Lima, by appointment only. Appointments for COVID-19 booster shots or initial vaccines may be made online at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or by calling 419-228-4636.
Who is eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot?
• 5-11 years: A third dose or booster shot may be given at least five months after the child’s second dose. Updated boosters are not available for this age group.
• 12-17 years: A booster may be given at least two months after the child’s second dose. Only the updated Pfizer booster formula is available to this age group.
• 18 and older: A booster may be given at least two months after a person’s second dose or their last booster shot.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
